Announcing:
Saint Mary's Press winner for the week of January 2, 2009!
Congratulations to Anna Hlavaty!

Anna Hlavaty will receive a copy of Words to Teach By: Daily Inspiration for Teachers and Catechists, a $11.95 value.

This calendar is meant for all private and public school teachers, parish catechists, pastors--anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of teaching as a sacred gift. Each day has a different inspirational quote from the Scriptures and a second inspirational quote from one of the following sources:

• Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers
• a teaching document by Catholic Church leaders
• a saint or religious leader
• a contemporary educational leader
• Pope John Paul II

Look Inside: You can view an online sampler of Words to Teach By on the SMP Web catalog. Search for "Words to Teach By," or use this link to go to the product description, http://www.smp.org/ItemDetail.cfm?ItemNum=3824. Then use the "look inside" button next to the cover image for a sampler, including the first 7 days of January.

Words to Teach By: Daily Inspiration for Teachers and Catechists
edited by Laurie Delgatto
ISBN 978-0-88489-921-1, plastic spiral, 368 pages, $11.95
http://www.smp.org/ItemDetail.cfm?ItemNum=3824

New Year's Prayer
by Steven McGlaun

Saint Mary's Press would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed new year. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of your ministry to young people. Thank you for all that you do. May God continue to bless you and your ministry in this New Year.

God of Creation and New Beginnings,
As we enter into a new year we give you thanks for last year.
Thank you for all of the blessings you placed before us.
Thank you for challenges that brought us closer to you.
Thank you for the relationships that grew stronger under
another year of your guidance,
Thank you for all of the people brought into our lives last year
in whom we had the opportunity to see your face.
As we begin a new year, we ask for your continued blessing
on the journey ahead.
Bless us with the courage to speak your word in our daily life.
Bless us to see your face in those we encounter.
Bless us with the strength to endure the challenges we will encounter.
Most important, bless us with the conviction to continue Christ's
mission of proclaiming and promoting your Kingdom.
In the name of Christ, your Son and our Savior, we pray,
Amen.

January 2009 Connect Newsletter Online

Connect is a complimentary newsletter from Saint Mary's Press for high school religion teachers, campus ministers, and principals. It is published on the Saint Mary's Press Web site each October, January, and April. This month's Connect has moved to a Web-based format, no downloading required!

In this issue of Connect, Colette Cassinelli, of Valley Catholic Middle and High School in Beaverton, Oregon, introduces some manageable ways to use technology that can significantly enhance the learning experiences of our students. In doing so, she illustrates that it is possible to take steps into the world of education and technology without being completely overwhelmed by the possibilities that seem to multiply every day. Our own use of technology for learning can model to our students how they can use technology in responsible and useful ways.

To read the January 2009 issue, click on the link below. Past issues of the Connect newsletter are also available at this link.

http://www.smp.org/Connect